Absolute Cheater

"Feels like we're looking at something born out of beautiful gems," another added.

Asher gave a short nod. "Admire him later. We're heading into a dungeon soon—Marina gave us a location worth checking. So get ready."

Without wasting time, they made their way back to the hotel. Once inside their rooms, they changed out of their damp travel gear and into more casual but travel-suited clothes—loose enough to move in, yet durable enough in case things turned dangerous fast.

As for Vaelion, Asher placed him into the Beast Space—a skill commonly used by Tamers and Beast Masters to safely store their bonded beasts in a specialized dimensional zone, where they could rest, recover, and continue to grow without interference.

He had never needed it before, but with his vast pool of unused Skill Points, Asher easily learned it and even upgraded the Beast Space skill to highest possible level.

It is now over 100km big and also come with nuturing effect where beasts can grow more faster and better. A small rune shimmered in the air before Vaelion disappeared into a flicker of red light, resting comfortably within the stable space.

After a quick gear check—they left the hotel and made their way toward the coordinates Marina had sent: The Moon Spring Hotel, Room No. 2.

It was another establishment about ten minutes' walk from their current location, slightly older in design, but well-maintained and quiet.

As they reached its gates, the exterior gave off a soft glow, subtle moon-shaped lanterns swinging gently in the evening breeze. They stepped inside, following the front corridor toward Room 2 as instructed—they casually chatted on the way, light mood and not evern a bit of seriousness on their faces.

The group strolled down the hallway, their steps unhurried, mood light. Asher walked at the front, hands in his pockets, completely relaxed—because truly, there was nothing here to fear.

Catherine walked beside him, arms crossed, her golden eyes flicking curiously at the walls and door signs. "So, think it's really some hidden dungeon?" she asked.

"If it's not, Marina's got terrible taste in secrets," Asher replied with a lazy grin.

Veyra chuckled behind them, brushing back her damp hair. "I wouldn't mind either way. A walk like this after a bath? Feels like vacation."

Freya was quietly humming, glancing at the soft lantern lights hanging overhead. "I kinda like this place. It's cozy."

Valeris trailed just slightly behind them all, her expression calm but alert, as always. Still, even she seemed more curious than cautious.

When they reached Room No. 2, Asher stopped and knocked twice, then once more after a short pause.

The door creaked open on its own.

The air inside was noticeably cooler, and dim blue light spilled out from within. Asher simply shrugged and stepped inside without hesitation. The others followed, still talking softly among themselves, as if they were just exploring a new cafe.

Inside the softly lit room, the group was met with an awkward sight.

Marina lay stretched on the bed, wearing nothing but a thin set of dark red lingerie that clung to her figure like liquid silk. Her hair was tousled, her posture deliberate—and she clearly hadn't expected company.

She blinked at the sight of not one, but five people walking in, her sultry expression faltering just a little as she pulled a nearby robe over her shoulders with a sigh. "I was thinking you'd come alone," she muttered, more amused than embarrassed.

Then she looked directly at Asher, tilting her head. "Would it really kill you to take a break from that 'I'm-invincible' act and enjoy a maiden's company? A woman like me doesn't exactly offer herself for free."

Catherine raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Veyra folded her arms. Freya blinked once, then glanced at Valeris. None of them looked offended—just slightly entertained.

Asher didn't miss a beat. He chuckled and stepped further in, arms still loose at his sides. "Come on, Marina. Just tell me the dungeon's location and what we need to do. You get what you want, I get what I want—simple transaction."

Marina rolled her eyes and leaned back on one elbow, robe barely clinging to her as she gazed at Asher. "And what I want is you, darling. One night. That's all. You scratch my itch—and you get the key to the dungeon."

"I'm not here to fuck you," Asher said flatly.

She didn't even flinch. "You fucking me is the key."

That drew a full silence from the room. Veyra blinked in disbelief. Catherine tilted her head. Even Valeris gave a slight frown of confusion.

"What kind of messed-up key is that?" Freya asked, half-serious.

Marina exhaled, then sat up fully, expression calmer now as she began to explain. "It's called the Miron Heart—a seal placed by the First Siren Empress herself. Only two ways exist to unbind it. One: be a very talented and powerful Siren descendant with high-tier recognition—which I'm not. My talents don't reach the Empress's standard. I tried. The dungeon doesn't open."

She looked directly at Asher. "The second way is to become the woman of a man powerful enough to overwrite that recognition seal. In this case… you. Why do you think a virgin like me has been after you? It's not just lust. I want that legacy. And I need you to get it."

Asher's expression hardened slightly. He swept his senses across her again—emotion, intent, soul-pulse. Still no deception. Only burning determination… and an awkward mix of genuine attraction and frustration.

Freya gave a long, low whistle. "Now that's a seriously messed-up legacy dungeon," she muttered. "Leave it to a Siren Empress to make access a literal bond of body and soul."

Catherine nodded. "It's no ordinary dungeon, then."

"No," Marina confirmed. "It's the Siren Empress's Legacy. Sealed away when she chose to leave this galaxy. I've been chasing it since I came across it."

Asher fell quiet for a long moment, gaze turning inward. Then he spoke, voice calm and firm.

"What do I get out of this?"

Marina's lips twitched into a sardonic smile. "Most men would count sleeping with me as the reward," she said dryly.

He turned slightly, motioning toward his own companions. "None of them are weak—and each one is more beautiful than you."

That one did sting a little. Marina's eyes narrowed, and she sighed, clearly annoyed now. "Fine. You want real value? Inside the dungeon is a World-Class Item. One of the Empress's final artifacts—something she personally sealed before leaving this plane. I don't know what it is exactly, but it's strong enough to affect entire realms. Maybe weaker than your top-tier weapon, but still potent. Your girls could use it. Or sell it. Or trade it for planetary power."

That caught his attention.

A world-class artifact wasn't a casual prize.

He leaned forward slightly. "…Now I'm listening."

Marina caught that subtle shift in his posture and smiled faintly, though the glint in her eyes wasn't playful—it was sharp, hungry, a predator's glimmer masked beneath practiced seduction.

"The Empress was many things," she continued, tone quieter now, reverent even. "A conqueror. A temptress. A breaker of kings. But she was also an artisan of legacy. That dungeon isn't just some death maze or loot vault. It's her final statement. The item inside was crafted with her blood, her laws, her desires. A piece of her soul remains tied to it."

Asher's brow furrowed. "You're saying it's a soul-bound relic?"

"Exactly," Marina nodded. "It'll imprint on whoever claims it first. Permanently. And more than just power, it carries knowledge—siren law, ancient seduction techniques, forgotten bloodline secrets. Maybe even a portion of her divine essence."

Catherine straightened. "That… would be extremely valuable. Not just as a weapon. But for cultivation."

Veyra narrowed her eyes, still studying Marina. "And yet you're willing to give all of that away. For a night with him?"

Marina snorted. "You think I want to? Trust me, I'd rather kick his teeth in than spread my legs for him—but I want that dungeon open, and I'm done chasing bloodlines and worthless nobles who can't even channel their own core without choking on it." Her eyes fixed on Asher again. "You're not just powerful. You're transcendent."

Asher stayed silent, thoughtful.

Valeris finally spoke from the back, arms crossed. "We could just break the seal by force."

Marina shook her head before he even finished speaking.

"No," she said firmly. "You can't. I tried. Believe me, I tried everything—soulflame detonations, spatial tears, time-bending loops. But the seal isn't just spatial—it's conceptual. It's bound to the Siren Law of Intimacy. It responds only to that. If you try to brute-force it with raw power…" She hesitated, then looked him dead in the eyes. "The dungeon won't open. It'll shatter. Collapse into void. Every chamber, every treasure, every trace of the Empress's legacy—gone. Erased."

Asher narrowed his eyes, his voice low. "You're saying if I break it—"

"It ceases to exist," Marina cut in. "That's the fail-safe she left behind. A rejection of conquest without consent. You could bring down a thousand spells on that seal, and it would still vanish rather than yield."